Crowned Heads Headley Grange Drumstick

📌 Brand: Crowned Heads
📌 Line: Headley Grange
📌 Size: Drumstick (Lancero, 7 1/2" × 38)
📌 Weight: 11 g
📌 Age: 13 years
📌 Origin: Dominican Republic

Tasting Notes

• Dark Cocoa – Muted sweetness early on

• Earth – Dry, slightly gritty core

• Black Pepper – Intermittent spikes

• Charred Wood – Increases with relights

First Impressions

The Drumstick perfecto shape is visually striking, but density feels uneven through the taper. Pre-light aroma brings cocoa, earth, and light pepper. Cold draw is inconsistent, alternating between open and restricted.

Smoking Experience

• First Third – Cocoa and earth appear softly. Burn struggles at the foot, requiring an early relight.

• Second Third – Pepper comes forward, but repeated burn interruptions flatten flavor and introduce char.

• Final Third – Shape becomes problematic; multiple relights are needed to keep it going. Profile turns dry and woody, losing balance.

Pairings

• Alcohol – Glen Scotia Double Cask Campbeltown Single Malt - Salty maritime notes, caramel, and gentle spice add structure and depth to a cigar that struggles to stay lit.

• Tea – Vietnam Yen Bai Red Shan Black Tea
  Smooth, naturally sweet, and low in harsh tannins — chosen to counter dryness caused by relights.

Music Pairing

“If We Were Vampires” – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Reflective and restrained, fitting a flawed but thoughtful smoke.

Final Thoughts

The Headley Grange Drumstick has solid tobacco and moments of depth, but the lancero shape combined with burn instability undermines the experience. Too many relights disrupt flavor development and lead to a dry, charred finish.

Final Score: 5/10
Why not a 10?
Multiple relights and unstable combustion prevented consistent flavor and balance.

Only cigars that deliver flawless draw, balance, flavour evolution, construction and satisfaction get a 10.